WWE WrestleMania 40 Preview – Annenberg Media

The most exciting night in sports entertainment is upon us. This weekend in Philadelphia, WWE brings its Super Bowl — WrestleMania 40 — to the city, and it’s shaping up to be one of the company’s biggest.

There are exciting storylines in the works throughout the year, such as the main event match between Cody Rhodes and Roman Reigns. There are also newer storylines that will make for impressive matches, such as the six-pack ladder match challenge for the Undisputed WWE Tag Team Championship. All in all, this is a weekend you can’t miss if you’re a pro wrestling fan.

With that said, let’s take a look at the matches we can expect this weekend.

Night 1 (April 6, 2024)

Twins, brothers and once allies, Jimmy Uso and Jey Uso will face off against each other. This is a match that has been brewing since Jey left Bloodline. Since then, Jimmy is determined to ruin Jay’s life; this match will finally allow the two to work it out and get all their frustrations out.

The underdog ring general, Gunther will face Sami Zayn for the Intercontinental Championship. Zayn has been training very hard with Chad Gable for this match, but we will have to see if it will be enough for him to defeat Gunther, the longest reigning Intercontinental Champion to date. Whatever the outcome, with two great performers in the ring, this will be a great match.

Rey Mysterio and Dragon Lee vs. Dominic Mysterio and Santos Escobar should be another good match. Lee is a rising NXT talent teaming with returning legend Rey Mysterio, who was removed by Escobar and continues to feud with his son Dominic Mysterio. Expect fast-paced action and frequent tags.

Jade Cargill, Bianca Belair and Naomi vs. Damage CTRL should be a win for Damage CTRL (finally). The faction has been dominant since they hit the scene, but this trio seems to be on the same page and all fighting with the group. It’s also very exciting to see Cargill’s first match since the Royal Rumble.

Six-Pack Ladder Match features DIY, Awesome Truth, The New Day, New Catch Republic, The Judgment Day and Grayson Waller/Austin Theory. This ladder match will hold both sets of belts above the ring. To win, a member of the team must secure all the belts, and since this is a ladder match, there are sure to be some memorable moments.

Becky Lynch vs. Rhea Ripley for the World Women’s Championship is a Man vs. Mami, two of the most popular female superstars in the WWE, who will square off once and for all. Ripley hasn’t had many title defenses since becoming champion, so this should be the biggest challenge yet to her reign. Let’s see if The Man can knock her off her pedestal.

Finally, it’s Seth Rollins and Cody Rhodes vs. The Rock and Roman Reigns. A duo that some thought would never team up, Rollins and Rhodes are now on the same page and ready to take on the Bloodline. If they win, Rhodes will have no interference in his main event match against Reigns the following night, but if they lose, Bloodline will rule.

Night 2 (April 7, 2024)

LA Knight vs. AJ Styles is one of the most exciting matches since Styles cost Knight a win in the Elimination Chamber. Knight has since insisted on fighting Styles, even attacking Styles in his own house, leading to Knight’s arrest. But that didn’t stop him!

Randy Orton vs. Kevin Owens vs. Logan Paul for the United States Championship will certainly be one to watch. Both Orton and Owens hate Paul and all three are great entertainers and wrestlers. I’m not sure who will walk away with the win considering Paul’s track record of cheating in matches.

Bayley vs. Iyo Skye will battle for the WWE Women’s Championship. Once teammates, now enemies, Sky vs. Bayley should have headlined the night of WrestleMania given Bayley’s Royal Rumble victory. But since it isn’t, I’m sure the two will make sure they deliver very hard. They have a history in common, a story to tell, and most of all, great chemistry in the ring.

Seth Rollins vs. Drew McIntyre for the World Heavyweight Championship is up next. Rollins will have already competed the night before and will now have to face McIntyre, who has been the headline act this entire feud. McIntyre can catch Rollins off guard due to fatigue, but both have to watch out for Damien Priest who still has his money in the bank contract ready to be cashed out.

Bobby Lashley and the Street Profits vs. The Final Testament will have a street fight in Philadelphia. These teams absolutely despise each other and adding the street fight stipulation to that hatred will only lead to more carnage. But it’s carnage we’re ready to see.

Roman Reigns vs. Cody Rhodes for the WWE Universal Championship will end. Finally, after winning The Royal Rumble for the second year in a row, Rhodes will have the chance to rewrite history. He may have lost to Reigns last year, but this time I have full faith that Rhodes will finish his story, even if he has to go through multiple members of the Bloodline to do so.

Sports Entertainment Solidified is a professional wrestling column by Maddy Myer.